Roosevelt Middle School – International Baccalaureate Magnet Site Governance Team (SGT) - December 10, 2013 – Minutes
In Attendance: Arturo Cabello, Karina Reyes, Sarah Trueblood, Bobbe Abts, German Cervantes, Michael Goodbody, June Pecchia, Matt Harvey, Thomas Gates, Vicky Stephenson, Jose Valdez, Scott Graham, Joel Ginsberg, Matthew Gates
Absent: Beth Hall, Bruno Schonian, Guadalupe Castillo, Minerva Espejo
Guests: Officer Jesus Montana-School Police; Rosaura Fountain
Meeting called to order @ 1:40.
2. Minutes: approved with the following correction: Page 1; Item 3; Note – should read: “Sales not to include black Roosevelt IB sweaters; black sweaters will not be sold.” Noted: Thomas Gates will check into Item #8 – question about teachers being able to dial other area codes from classroom phones to contact parents.
3. Safety Plan/Committee Site Emergency Response Team/Comprehensive Safety Plan Mr. Valdes is looking to form a Safety Committee for next year’s plan – 2014-15. Ms. Reyes mentioned that we need to have more drills - we’ve only had 1 earthquake; 1 fire; no search and rescue. Emergency Response Boxes are being updated now; emergency bins throughout the school need to be checked. Bins are to have batteries, supplies, water – they need restocking - required by the District. Officer Montana explained the District requirements and needs: -two response teams – RMS staff members -school employees are mandated to stay on site for up to 72 hours during a natural disaster -plan needs to be updated by March, 2014 for the following school year -we currently have a plan – but there is work that needs to be done = updates, put teams together, practice, inform staff -we are compliant for 2013-14 Goodbody: “We are compliant, but are we prepared?” -Fire Code requires that we hold a minimum of 3 drills per year Ms. Reyes – this will be on the agenda for the January staff meeting.
Helmets – skateboards and bikes Officer Montana: “Yes, School Police can cite students for not wearing helmets.” (He made this comment after reading through last month’s minutes.) His suggestions are: -notify the parents first -let all know about the high number of those not wearing helmets -state that RMS is asking for help from City and School Police -law is that anyone under 18 years old must wear a helmet -fines could range from $25.00 plus court fees to $150-$250. -a trip to the Emergency Room could result in a call to CPS - Officer Montana will be putting out the word to Officers to start citing students after the first of the year
MOTION: It was moved by Mr. Goodbody, seconded by Ms. Stephenson, that we form a Safety Committee. All in favor. Note: Administration will work on the composition of this committee. Ms. Reyes stated she made a presentation to SSC; SSC stated they wants to start a committee as well; the Safety Committee will be formed through with members from SSC to be included.
4. Field Trip Policy Ms. Trueblood – since we are no longer doing the CST testing, can there be fieldtrips off campus during the month of March? Dr. Cabello – concerned that we don’t know what the District plan is for Smarter Balance – want to wait and see what the District plan is. Ms. Trueblood – the problem is that we are saying “no” to field trips because of an old testing schedule. Discussion followed. Ms. Trueblood wanted to go on record as stating she has never believed in the spirit of the ‘No fieldtrips in March’ policy. Student Rep Matthew Gates - “If there is a big test, there should be no fieldtrips. If the fieldtrip is educational, yes, but not if right before the really big test.” Ms. Fountain: “We should take this year seriously; it’s an opportunity to prepare kids. We should use this year for practice for next year.” Dr. Cabello wants students to spend as much time in class before the tests. This topic will be revisited at SGT after discussions in Department Meetings; SGT members to bring back comments from those staff members they represent.
5. ASB – student pull-out procedure Ms. Stephenson – students miss class for ASB activities without permission slips. Dr. Cabello – ASB should be considered the same way we consider sports teams – students must maintain their GPA. Problem is with 6th graders because ASB is Period 2 – 6th graders must miss a class. Mr. Ginsberg – it’s always up to the teachers whether to excuse a student or not. Trying to have ASB for all grade levels once a week during 2nd period when 6th graders would attend. Mr. Ginsberg will check GPA’s foal l students, particularly the 6th graders. Ms. Stephenson said she is willing to help with ASB. Dr. Herndon suggested the ASB secretary send out a list of names of who will be out of class and for what reason – teachers would still have final say it excuse or not.
6. Student Tardiness Mr. Gates – sees 30 or more kids every day just strolling to class – not just one period – throughout the day. Dr. Cabello – 7th and 8th grades caught in a tardy seep are assigned a full week of lunch time tutoring. -Admin will set more dates for sweeps -teachers are not to tell students -students are not to be let into a room after the bell rings Ms. Reyes – we need to update the Tardy Policy in the Teacher Handbook/My Bid Campus. Dr. Cabello – the drug dogs will be used again on campus. There will be a demonstration in the auditorium during PE classes. Mr. Goodbody – concerned about the number of ‘false positives’ we’ve had in the past; lots of good information; concerns about possible CPS reports
7. Diversity Council Ms. Trueblood – there is going to be an “Up-Stander Week” (rather than being a By-stander) – Anti-Bullying Week. Looking at having two school-wide activities in April, a poster contest in the weeks leading up to the activities; more to come.
ROUND TABLE Ms. Fountain – there will be two A-G Requirements informational meeting tomorrow, 12/11 – 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ELAC meeting to follow.
Matthew Gates – asked about the no running policy during passing periods – students trying to get to class on time and not be tardy. It was explained that it’s a safety issue – walk fast, but don’t run! Mr. Harvey – reported the 8th grade Beach Fieldtrip was awesome. - students eating past the Blue Line/Blacktop should be sent to Coach Harvey. Ms. Reyes – Tuesday January 7th – there will be a Safety Presentation for teachers during the after school Prep Tuesday; it’s voluntary; anyone who wants information or wants to get involved in the Safety committee should attend. Several people asked clarification about this and details: Who should be attending? Don’t all staff members need this training? Shouldn’t/couldn’t this be done during a Staff Meeting?
Site Governance Team (SGT) - December 10, 2013 – Minutes
In Attendance: Arturo Cabello, Karina Reyes, Sarah Trueblood, Bobbe Abts, German Cervantes, Michael Goodbody, June Pecchia, Matt Harvey, Thomas Gates, Vicky Stephenson, Jose Valdez, Scott Graham, Joel Ginsberg, Matthew Gates
Absent: Beth Hall, Bruno Schonian, Guadalupe Castillo, Minerva Espejo
Guests: Officer Jesus Montana-School Police; Rosaura Fountain
Meeting called to order @ 1:40.
2. Minutes: approved with the following correction:
Page 1; Item 3; Note – should read: “Sales not to include black Roosevelt IB sweaters; black sweaters will not be sold.”
Noted: Thomas Gates will check into Item #8 – question about teachers being able to dial other area codes from classroom phones to contact parents.
3. Safety Plan/Committee
Site Emergency Response Team/Comprehensive Safety Plan
Mr. Valdes is looking to form a Safety Committee for next year’s plan – 2014-15.
Ms. Reyes mentioned that we need to have more drills - we’ve only had 1 earthquake; 1 fire; no search and rescue. Emergency Response Boxes are being updated now; emergency bins throughout the school need to be checked. Bins are to have batteries, supplies, water – they need restocking - required by the District.
Officer Montana explained the District requirements and needs:
-two response teams – RMS staff members
-school employees are mandated to stay on site for up to 72 hours during a natural disaster
-plan needs to be updated by March, 2014 for the following school year
-we currently have a plan – but there is work that needs to be done = updates, put teams together, practice, inform staff
-we are compliant for 2013-14
Goodbody: “We are compliant, but are we prepared?”
-Fire Code requires that we hold a minimum of 3 drills per year
Ms. Reyes – this will be on the agenda for the January staff meeting.
Helmets – skateboards and bikes
Officer Montana: “Yes, School Police can cite students for not wearing helmets.” (He made this comment after reading through last month’s minutes.) His suggestions are:
-notify the parents first
-let all know about the high number of those not wearing helmets
-state that RMS is asking for help from City and School Police
-law is that anyone under 18 years old must wear a helmet
-fines could range from $25.00 plus court fees to $150-$250.
-a trip to the Emergency Room could result in a call to CPS
- Officer Montana will be putting out the word to Officers to start citing students after the first of the year
MOTION: It was moved by Mr. Goodbody, seconded by Ms. Stephenson, that we form a Safety Committee. All in favor. Note: Administration will work on the composition of this committee. Ms. Reyes stated she made a presentation to SSC; SSC stated they wants to start a committee as well; the Safety Committee will be formed through with members from SSC to be included.
4. Field Trip Policy
Ms. Trueblood – since we are no longer doing the CST testing, can there be fieldtrips off campus during the month of March?
Dr. Cabello – concerned that we don’t know what the District plan is for Smarter Balance – want to wait and see what the District plan is.
Ms. Trueblood – the problem is that we are saying “no” to field trips because of an old testing schedule.
Discussion followed. Ms. Trueblood wanted to go on record as stating she has never believed in the spirit of the ‘No fieldtrips in March’ policy.
Student Rep Matthew Gates - “If there is a big test, there should be no fieldtrips. If the fieldtrip is educational, yes, but not if right before the really big test.”
Ms. Fountain: “We should take this year seriously; it’s an opportunity to prepare kids. We should use this year for practice for next year.”
Dr. Cabello wants students to spend as much time in class before the tests.
This topic will be revisited at SGT after discussions in Department Meetings; SGT members to bring back comments from those staff members they represent.
5. ASB – student pull-out procedure
Ms. Stephenson – students miss class for ASB activities without permission slips.
Dr. Cabello – ASB should be considered the same way we consider sports teams – students must maintain their GPA. Problem is with 6th graders because ASB is Period 2 – 6th graders must miss a class.
Mr. Ginsberg – it’s always up to the teachers whether to excuse a student or not. Trying to have ASB for all grade levels once a week during 2nd period when 6th graders would attend.
Mr. Ginsberg will check GPA’s foal l students, particularly the 6th graders.
Ms. Stephenson said she is willing to help with ASB.
Dr. Herndon suggested the ASB secretary send out a list of names of who will be out of class and for what reason – teachers would still have final say it excuse or not.
6. Student Tardiness
Mr. Gates – sees 30 or more kids every day just strolling to class – not just one period – throughout the day.
Dr. Cabello – 7th and 8th grades caught in a tardy seep are assigned a full week of lunch time tutoring.
-Admin will set more dates for sweeps
-teachers are not to tell students
-students are not to be let into a room after the bell rings
Ms. Reyes – we need to update the Tardy Policy in the Teacher Handbook/My Bid Campus.
Dr. Cabello – the drug dogs will be used again on campus. There will be a demonstration in the auditorium during PE classes.
Mr. Goodbody – concerned about the number of ‘false positives’ we’ve had in the past; lots of good information; concerns about possible CPS reports
7. Diversity Council
Ms. Trueblood – there is going to be an “Up-Stander Week” (rather than being a By-stander) – Anti-Bullying Week. Looking at having two school-wide activities in April, a poster contest in the weeks leading up to the activities; more to come.
ROUND TABLE
Ms. Fountain – there will be two A-G Requirements informational meeting tomorrow, 12/11 – 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ELAC meeting to follow.
Matthew Gates – asked about the no running policy during passing periods – students trying to get to class on time and not be tardy. It was explained that it’s a safety issue – walk fast, but don’t run!
Mr. Harvey – reported the 8th grade Beach Fieldtrip was awesome.
- students eating past the Blue Line/Blacktop should be sent to Coach Harvey.
Ms. Reyes – Tuesday January 7th – there will be a Safety Presentation for teachers during the after school Prep Tuesday; it’s voluntary; anyone who wants information or wants to get involved in the Safety committee should attend.
Several people asked clarification about this and details:
Who should be attending?
Don’t all staff members need this training?
Shouldn’t/couldn’t this be done during a Staff Meeting?
Administration will look at this further.
Meeting adjourned at 2:50
Respectfully submitted,
Bobbe Abts, secretary